Donald Trump Returns to White House After Winning 277 Electoral Votes

Historic Triumph: Donald Trump Returns to White House After Winning 277 Electoral Votes

According to NBC News Exit Poll, Donald Trump’s 2024 victory was shaped by familiar economic frustrations, a pessimistic national mood, and voter dissatisfaction with President Joe Biden’s performance. Here are the key takeaways:

1. Economic Dissatisfaction: Voters’ frustrations with the economy and their financial situations were decisive factors. Nearly half of all voters (45%) felt financially worse off than four years ago, a sentiment stronger than in recent elections since 2008. Despite indicators of economic growth, like a low jobless rate and a strong stock market, 66% of voters rated the U.S. economy poorly. This pessimism about the country’s trajectory led to a broad desire for change.
2. Voter Mood and Biden’s Approval: The national mood was overwhelmingly negative, with around 75% of voters expressing dissatisfaction with the state of the country. Biden’s approval rating stood at only 40%, with 58% disapproving — a lower approval rate than Trump had in 2020 when he lost to Biden.
3. Leadership and Change: When asked which qualities were most important in a candidate, a majority of voters chose “the ability to lead” and the need for “needed change.” Trump excelled with these voters, securing around 70% of their votes.
4. Controversial Policy Positions: Trump’s hardline immigration stance, particularly his call for mass deportation, did not resonate widely — only 39% supported it, while 56% preferred legal status pathways. Similarly, Trump’s association with the Supreme Court’s Dobbs ruling on abortion, though less a focus this time, was out of step with the majority; only 30% wanted abortion to be illegal in most cases, down from 42% in 2020.
5. Demographic Shifts: Trump made notable gains among voters of color, winning about 1 in 3, including a 13-point improvement among Latino voters compared to 2020. His performance among women also improved slightly from 2020, narrowing the gender gap.
6. First-Time Voters and “Double Haters”: First-time voters shifted notably toward Trump, a stark reversal from four years ago when they favored Biden. Additionally, “double haters” — those who viewed both candidates unfavorably — leaned heavily toward Trump, continuing a pattern that had benefited him in previous elections.

These factors combined to give Trump an edge in this election, allowing him to overcome the controversies and legal challenges he faced and ultimately reclaim the presidency by tapping into an electorate hungry for change and concerned with economic challenges.

The Associated Press Projects Trump’s Victory

Donald Trump will return to the White House after winning the 2024 presidential election. The Associated Press (AP) declared him the winner just after 5:30 a.m. EST on Wednesday, as he defeated Kamala Harris in a dramatic comeback.

Trump Secures Presidency with Wisconsin Win

Trump claimed Wisconsin’s 10 electoral votes at 5:34 a.m. Wednesday, boosting his total to 277 electoral votes, the AP reported. This win eliminated all of Harris’ remaining paths to victory.

Stocks Surge on Trump’s Win

Following Trump’s apparent win, stock futures surged, with the Dow and S&P 500 spiking over 2% early Wednesday.

Trump Dominates in Key Swing States

By early morning, Trump held strong leads in Michigan and Wisconsin, each by more than 110,000 votes. With more than 90% of votes counted in both states, a Harris victory appeared nearly impossible. Either state would solidify Trump’s win by securing over 270 electoral votes.

AP Holds Off on Official Call in Two States

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The AP has yet to officially call the election due to remaining votes in Milwaukee and Detroit. Wayne County, Michigan, and Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, remain Harris’ last hope. At 4 a.m. EST, Wayne County had counted 58% of votes, while Milwaukee County had tallied 69%.

World Leaders Congratulate Trump

The reactions from European leaders to Trump’s re-election victory reflect a mix of anticipation, cautious optimism, and a sense of preparedness for the potential changes to the geopolitical landscape. President Emmanuel Macron congratulated Trump promptly, indicating readiness to continue their working relationship, despite Trump’s sometimes unconventional style. Macron’s response shows a pragmatic approach, balancing cordiality with an awareness of the challenges ahead.

British diplomats were also closely watching the election results, expressing confidence in the resilience of the “special relationship” between the U.S. and the U.K., a partnership tested by differences but often enduring in the face of political changes. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s message emphasized collaboration, though the U.K.’s Labour Party’s support for Democrats hints at underlying tensions.

Some European leaders, like Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, were particularly enthusiastic, celebrating what he described as a major comeback for Trump. Orban’s close rapport with Trump aligns with his own political leanings, as both leaders share nationalist and populist ideologies, which have often shaped their foreign policies.

In contrast, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen took a more restrained approach, emphasizing shared goals of prosperity and freedom. Their responses highlight a formal tone, underscoring the E.U.’s preference for stability and unity in its partnership with the U.S. While European leaders have differing perspectives, there is a shared acknowledgment of the need to navigate trans-Atlantic relationships thoughtfully, with an eye toward both continuity and adaptation.

Trump Declares Victory

Trump declared victory shortly after the AP called Pennsylvania for him, stating, “this was a movement like nobody’s ever seen before.” He was joined by his family and running mate, Senator JD Vance.

Praise for Allies: Vance and Musk

Trump commended Vance, saying he “turned out to be a good choice.” He also praised Elon Musk, calling him a “super genius” and highlighting SpaceX’s achievements, referring to Musk as a “new star.”

Trump Nears White House with Pennsylvania Lead

Trump won Pennsylvania’s 19 electoral votes around 2:30 a.m. EST, leaving him just three votes shy of the presidency. Alaska’s three votes could clinch his victory; however, the AP has not yet called Alaska.

Trump Leads All Swing States

The AP reported Trump’s leads in seven swing states, including Georgia, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. This dominant performance all but seals his path back to the White House.

Republicans Take Control of Senate

The GOP also regained the Senate majority, flipping seats in Ohio and West Virginia, securing a 51-49 lead.

Harris Campaign Remains Determined

Despite Trump’s lead, Harris campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon expressed hope for high turnout in key counties. Harris, however, trailed Trump in all critical states as of Wednesday morning.

Trump Wins North Carolina

The AP called North Carolina for Trump at 11:20 p.m. Tuesday, adding 16 electoral votes to his tally and diminishing Harris’ chances to claim the presidency.

This victory propels Trump back to the presidency, marking one of the most remarkable comebacks in American political history.